President's Message - May 2013

Website archive 1995-2013

May 2013

Although
somewhat modestly attended, our International
Astronomy Day 2013 event April 27
at the University of Victoria was a success. It was busy with families and lots
of kids of all ages. Pearson College was well represented. University
astronomers tended to the �Ask an Astronomer� table. Our own displays were
nicely done and informative. Our daylong program of speakers gathered small but
attentive audiences. The children�s tables hummed with activity.

As is often the case, the weather was not entirely cooperative during the day,
so there was no solar observing. But those that returned for the evening session
were treated to a comprehensive update on the search for extra-solar planets,
complete with a history of the various projects, and a survey of the latest
cutting-edge methods. Late-night clearing allowed for some observing at the
University�s telescope for those with the energy to stay.

It certainly can be said that 250-300 enthusiastic visitors is quite satisfying
for an event like this. Which is not to say that a larger crowd of the same sort
of visitors would not be nice, too.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is dedicated
to the promotion of astronomy and its related sciences; we espouse the
scientific method, and support dissemination of discoveries and
theories based on that well-tested method.